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Tips For Garden Furniture Storage All Year Round*

Whether your garden
furniture is wrought iron, teak, pine, Rattan Direct or
any other high quality material, it’s important that it’s kept in top condition
throughout the year.

Brand new garden
furniture may look great, but even the highest quality garden furniture needs
care and attention to keep it looking its best over time.

With the changing seasons
come many changes in weather conditions: wind, rain, sun, snow and ice can all
cause problems with outdoor furniture. To minimise wear and tear, and keep your
garden furniture strong and durable, read on for some helpful tips on how best
to store it, and keep it looking and working great in both summer and winter.

Care
for Garden Furniture in Summer

During the summer months is likely when your garden furniture will be
getting the most use. Whether you’re hosting an outdoor dinner party, barbeque
or simply enjoying a good book in the sunshine, your garden furnishings should
look and feel great all summer long.

Even English summers bring milder weather and more sunshine. Prolonged
exposure to heat and sunlight can cause your metal, wooden and plastic garden
furniture to become damaged, misshapen or sun-bleached. An English summer often
brings with it more than just sunshine, and short wet spells can be damaging to
your outdoor furniture, even if the temperatures are warm.

Keep your furniture protected by making sure it is kept reasonably
clean and clear any twigs or leaves that may fall on it, as these can cause
staining. You can wipe or hose down your garden furniture with soapy water and
a sturdy scrubbing brush.

Care
for Garden Furniture in Winter

During winter, you may use your garden furniture less but don’t forget
about looking after it as the nights draw in and the temperatures drop. If
you’re not using your furniture at all during the colder months, use waterproof
materials to cover it up. If your furniture is made of unprotected materials
like wicker, untreated woods or metal, ideally it should be kept indoors: store
in a shed or in a garage to keep it safe from weather-induced problems.

Many materials used for garden furniture are designed to be
weather-resistant - rattan, teak and pine are examples of weather-resistant
woods commonly used - but over time even these can become degraded and damaged.
Make sure you cover them with properly fitted furniture covers to protect them
from wind, rain, snow and ice over the winter.

How to
Look After Metal Outdoor Furniture

Metal furniture may be durable but it needs
regular care to keep it in top condition. Keep your metal garden furniture
clean using simple detergent and lukewarm water, and use a scrubbing brush to
get rid of any rust that may have accumulated.

Use a metal primer to help neutralise and
reduce rust, and use furniture spray paint to keep the surface fresh and
protected against oxidation and other damage. You can also use car wax to
protect your metal furniture from weather-related problems.

How to
Look After Wicker Outdoor Furniture

To keep wicker items in top condition
throughout the year, make a solution of bleach and water and gently apply to
get rid of any mildew or mould, before washing down with water and leaving to
dry. Wicker furniture can be more susceptible to problems caused by moisture:
consider using moisture repellent on the legs and store with the legs off the
ground to reduce the risk of damp-related problems.

How to
Look After Wooden Outdoor Furniture

Different woods require different kinds of care to keep them in top
condition.

For teak or cedar, soak the surface in a bleach solution for a few
days to clean. Sand down the surfaces and apply a wood oil to replenish the
natural oils that keep the furniture durable and weather-resistant.

For furniture made of woods other than cedar or teak, use a bleach
solution and rinse down straight away, before leaving to dry. You can then use
a water repellent and a coat of wood wax to keep your wooden furniture
protected outdoors.

How to
Look After Plastic Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor
plastic furniture care is very simple. Use soap and lukewarm water to wash any
dirt off and store in a cool, dry place when not in use.

If
you follow these tips, your outdoor furniture will last longer and stay looking
great, no matter the season.